It’s wild to think of the hallowed grounds of American history right under our homes in Chadds Ford. If we zoom out a few miles and include the entire Philadelphia region, the scope of our communities’ rich history broadens even further.

You know this, but as someone who didn’t grow up here, I feel like it’s easy to take for granted. This year reminds us that the history beneath our feet is a BFD. So much so that the Wall Street Journal named Philadelphia the #1 city to visit in 2026 – in the whole world! 💥 Numero uno!

🎶 Philly feeling like we’re #1? The Rocky song is definitely going global this year. Also, a patriotic version of Fly (Bald) Eagles Fly? 🦅

Chadds Ford Barn Shoppes - Chadds Ford 250 promotion small business centers

This recognition largely stems from the extensive America 250 celebration scheduled this year in conjunction with major global sporting events, which capitalize on Philadelphia’s spectacle around the 250th anniversary of our country. Did you know Philadelphia is hosting FIFA World Cup matches, March Madness games, and the MLB All-Star Game this year?

💭 Should we all put our houses on Airbnb for the year? For stupidly high prices? 💸💸💸 Just kidding… sort of.

Short life, big impact

The United States is still a baby compared to most countries in the world (or maybe a teenager if the behavior of our unhinged federal administration is any indication). 🙄 But the American Revolution brought with it shifts in the global order and society at large that put the ideals of true representative democracy and the power of the United States of America on the international map in a big way. We might be a baby country, but our 250 years have been of no small consequence.

I’m gonna be straight with you. I think our current federal administration is sh*t, and our president is a selfish, reckless, vile human. If you don’t agree with me, that’s ok. You’re still welcome here (so long as you come with curiosity and critical thinking – I promise to do the same).

But because I believe we are experiencing the worst president in American history, it feels odd to be celebrating the birth of a revered democracy while it’s in absolute peril. I feel like we’re celebrating the success of the thing while it crashes and burns right before our eyes. The cognitive dissonance is no joke.

Yet, here we are.

Revival of civic engagement 🤞🏻

My fingers and toes are crossed that the dumpster fire 🔥 in Washington, juxtaposed with the America 250 celebrations over the next year, prompts a renewed commitment to civic engagement. I hope it reminds us that representative government requires consistent dedication, education, investment, and community from the citizens. That’s us, friends.

Oh yeah. And we need truth. Lots of integrity and truth.

Democracy is not passive; it requires active participation. From me. And you! We need to look each other in the eye and do. the. work. We need to show up en masse to promote, support, sustain, and fight for the government we want (even if you’re not “political”). Everything is political, babe. 🫶🏼

☕ 🍫 🍷 Don’t believe me? Let’s talk about your coffee, chocolate, and wine. Tariffs, climate change, environmental toxins in the soil and water, destabilized governments in producer countries, international trade routes that function only because they’re protected by the US Navy, human rights violations, fair wages for workers, the list goes on. But I digress. You with me now?

Democracy (or a democratic republic if you prefer that term) is not inevitable. As soon as we believe it is such, it shall be gone. We’ve been taking it for granted for far too long. Now it’s time to get to work, to boldly withstand the pressure trying to crush what we supposedly cherish.

LFG. 💪🏼 Let’s do it right here around the intersection of Creek Rd and Route 1.

America 250 celebrations to benefit Chadds Ford

Over the coming months, America 250 celebrations will take place across the region, offering an opportunity to showcase our small businesses, big ideas, and special spaces that make Chadds Ford unique. America 250 events and energy give us an opportunity to double down on our commitment to democracy and build community with fortitude and joy. Let’s make it meaningful and fun (and financially profitable for our local businesses while we’re at it). 💰

We live in the heart of where it all started, where this imperfect and ever-changing experiment of liberty and justice for all was born. The evidence is all around us, and people from around the world will spend the next year visiting our town and region to see it.

Maybe we’re far enough from the epicenter to avoid the traffic nightmares (though I doubt it). We think Rt 1 and 202 are bad now. 🥴 But we can also welcome the visitors to support our local small businesses and organizations. What’s not to love about a boost of cash from passers through for our bakeries, cafes, gift stores, vintage and antique shops, museums, service providers, and more?

Chadds Ford 250 campaign

Recognizing this opportunity, the township organized a Chadds Ford 250 initiative to capitalize on the America 250 momentum. Through this campaign, the township plans to promote events, activities, special products, and other unique offerings from Chadds Ford businesses related to the America 250 celebrations. They intend to include this information on their website, in newsletters, and on their social media accounts, using the hashtag #ChaddsFord250. Check out this page and their sign-up form for more information.

I think this is a great idea, and I’d love to share similar stories on Connect Chadds Ford channels as well. The more chatter, the merrier, right?

Do you want to be featured? I’ve created a Google Form where you can share events, special products, or unique stories tied to the America 250 celebrations, showcasing how Chadds Ford residents, businesses, and other local organizations are celebrating this important historical milestone. Hopefully, we can draw some of the millions of visitors to Philadelphia this year to support our small, vibrant community in Chadds Ford.

Submit Chadds Ford 250 story idea

It starts with us

Civic engagement starts with us. Connecting and rebuilding bridges with neighbors in yoga classes, walking clubs, and roadside cleanups. Conversing with our political counterparts over coffee and scones. Coordinating to provide food and necessities to neighbors in need.

Collaborating to lift and amplify the tenets of community, like the corner auto body shop, voter registration drives, the local gift store, shared walking paths, family-owned restaurants, our neighborhood library, the arts organizations, and more, that are truly the building blocks for a society and a government of, by, and for the people.

Are you feeling especially ambitious? Maybe you could even run for something?! 🙏🏻

What do you think, Chadds Ford friends? Can we do it?